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Havelock Academy students are ‘safe and seen’

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 - 13:01

Grimsby’s Havelock Academy, part of the David Ross Education Trust, received a generous donation of 50 sets of cycle lights to ensure that students will be safe and seen as they ride their bikes to and from the academy each day.

In September, Havelock Academy launched its ‘Cycle Safely to School’ campaign, which aims to educate all members of the academy about road safety and the importance of wearing a cycle helmet. Staff who regularly ride bike to school had their photographs taken with the slogan: Proud to wear a cycle helmet.

Local company ENGIE, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, kindly donated the sets of cycle lights to help ensure that students at Havelock Academy are safe and seen on the roads this winter.

As part of the new cycle safety campaign, Havelock Academy teamed up with the Ryan Smith Foundation to deliver a thought-provoking assembly on the importance of cycle helmets. 17-year-old Ryan was seriously injured and almost killed when he was involved in a collision with a van in Hogsthorpe, Lincolnshire in 2013. Ryan, who had decided not to to wear a cycle helmet on the day, will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Ryan’s heartfelt story inspired Havelock Academy’s Student Council Members to work with the senior team to draw up a brand new cycle safety policy. Now, if students want to ride their bikes to the academy, they need to ensure their cycle is road-worthy, apply for a cycle pass and ensure they wear their helmet correctly.

Another valued business partner, Driver Hire, generously donated £150 worth of vouchers to enable students to purchase safety equipment for their cycles.

Wendy Jackson, Principal at Havelock Academy, said: “The David Ross Education Trust encourages all students to lead healthy lifestyles, and cycling to and from school is a fantastic way to keep fit and healthy.

“We are very grateful to our business partners in the community for supporting our students to keep safe and active.

“Our students’ safety and well-being are our number one priority. I am very proud to see that our students are taking responsibility for safer cycling in the community.”